Austin – Lodginghttp://lodgingmagazine.com
Official Publication of the AH&LAThu, 08 Dec 2016 16:42:34 +0000en-UShourly1https://wordpress.org/?v=4.6.1Westin Austin Downtown Opens Its Doorshttp://lodgingmagazine.com/westin-austin-downtown-opens-its-doors/
http://lodgingmagazine.com/westin-austin-downtown-opens-its-doors/#respondFri, 17 Jul 2015 14:15:04 +0000http://lodgingmagazine.com/?p=19575AUSTIN, Texas—Westin Hotels & Resorts has announced the opening of The Westin Austin Downtown, located at the corner of San Jacinto Boulevard and Fifth Street. A joint venture among White Lodging Services Corporation, the Harry Whittington family, and REI Real Estate Services, the 19-story hotel, which draws design inspiration from the local music scene, is Westin’s second Austin property, and one of five new openings in North America this year. The Westin Austin Downtown used ...

]]>AUSTIN, Texas—Westin Hotels & Resorts has announced the opening of The Westin Austin Downtown, located at the corner of San Jacinto Boulevard and Fifth Street. A joint venture among White Lodging Services Corporation, the Harry Whittington family, and REI Real Estate Services, the 19-story hotel, which draws design inspiration from the local music scene, is Westin’s second Austin property, and one of five new openings in North America this year.

The Westin Austin Downtown used HKS Architects and was designed by Simeone Deary. Upon entering the lobby, guests are met with a 12-foot-tall custom-made art piece comprised of charred wood blocks that come together to form the body of a guitar. Incorporating natural design elements, the lobby ceiling and vertical garden mimic the cutouts of a Dobro guitar, while the ballroom floors allude to prints often found on guitar straps. In keeping with the Austin music theme, the hotel will regularly host local musicians in the lounge area.

“We wanted to pay homage to all Austin has to offer, and, of course, music is a huge part of that,” said Kristofer Carlson, general manager of The Westin Austin Downtown. “Most of the inspiration comes from vintage guitars, so you’ll see many parts of the hotel subtly reflect various guitar components. That, combined with Westin’s signature amenities, will offer Austinites and visitors alike a relaxing-yet-energized stay.”

The new Westin has a rooftop with a pool and bar, which features cabanas and a fire pit, as well as the 24-hour Westin Workout Fitness Studio.

“Filled with so much vigor and energy, it was only natural that our second hotel in Austin be in the heart of downtown,” said Bob Jacobs, vice president, brand management, Westin Hotels & Resorts and Sheraton Hotels & Resorts. “The Westin Austin Downtown aims to provide guests and locals alike with an escape from the hustle and bustle, while still embracing the city’s culture.”

Up the guitar-string staircase, The Westin Austin Downtown is home to 366 contemporary guestrooms and suites. The hotel also features Stella San Jac, an Austin-American restaurant serving eclectic Southern cuisine. Guests have access to 24-hour in-room dining from the hotel’s full-service kitchen.

The hotel features more than 13,500 square feet of meeting and banquet space, inclusive of 16 individual meeting rooms, each named after a famous Austin musician or venue, including Joplin, Benson, Paramount, Continental, and Moody.

]]>http://lodgingmagazine.com/westin-austin-downtown-opens-its-doors/feed/0Hotel San Jose’s Convertible Meeting Room Drives Revenuehttp://lodgingmagazine.com/hotel-san-joses-convertible-meeting-room-drives-revenue/
http://lodgingmagazine.com/hotel-san-joses-convertible-meeting-room-drives-revenue/#respondTue, 23 Jun 2015 14:19:27 +0000http://lodgingmagazine.com/?p=19110The Hotel San José in Austin had a lot going for it—40 bungalow-style rooms, a garden courtyard with a beer and wine lounge, a happening coffee shop, a wading pool, and a primo location on South Congress Avenue. But when potential customers started asking about creative meeting spaces for small groups, the hotel didn’t have a solution. Rather than pass up a revenue-generating opportunity, General Manager Meghan Hughes knew the hotel had to accommodate demand ...

]]>The Hotel San José in Austin had a lot going for it—40 bungalow-style rooms, a garden courtyard with a beer and wine lounge, a happening coffee shop, a wading pool, and a primo location on South Congress Avenue. But when potential customers started asking about creative meeting spaces for small groups, the hotel didn’t have a solution.

Rather than pass up a revenue-generating opportunity, General Manager Meghan Hughes knew the hotel had to accommodate demand somehow. About a year ago, they met with a local builder to figure out an easy, low-cost way for one of its courtyard suites to serve double duty as a meeting space. To prepare the room for a meeting, the hotel staff removes the linens and mattress from the room, pulls aside the bedside tables, and lifts the platform away from the spine of the bed. When placed on top of legs, the platform transforms into a boardroom-style table. “It just seemed like a natural fit, and without having to spend all the money building a new structure, pulling permits, and go through all that hubbub,” Hughes says.

Now, business travelers have a unique alternative for their intimate business or social gatherings of up to 16 attendees in a 425-square-foot guestroom-turned-meeting room. The room offers natural light filtered through bamboo-lined windows, and provides social seating indoors, as well as on the porch overlooking the pool area. The hotel has AV capabilities and several catering options.

Prospective customers can watch a time-lapse video to see the room transform. Under normal circumstances, the room takes at least an hour to convert, Hughes says. (Although, she does recall an emergency situation in which the hotel was overbooked, and five team members managed to convert the room in only 20 minutes.) When it’s not being rented for meetings, the space returns to its function as a guest suite.

A one-day meeting typically costs about $1,000 for the room rental, plus a $500 food and beverage minimum. Hughes set a goal of booking the room once a month for meetings, and so far the hotel has surpassed expectations. The meetings page only recently went live on the website, so RFPs are picking up, she adds.

From high-end tequila makers conducting tastings to clothing brands brainstorming with their development teams, the space attracts a variety of groups. “The ROI is great,” Hughes says. “We hope to continue to grow with more exposure, marketing, getting it out there on social media channels. It seems to be a well received addition without having to totally rethink or create a whole new space in the hotel.”

]]>http://lodgingmagazine.com/hotel-san-joses-convertible-meeting-room-drives-revenue/feed/0Strategic to Acquire Four Seasons Austin for $197 Millionhttp://lodgingmagazine.com/strategic-to-acquire-four-seasons-austin-for-197-million/
http://lodgingmagazine.com/strategic-to-acquire-four-seasons-austin-for-197-million/#respondWed, 06 May 2015 16:05:24 +0000http://lodgingmagazine.com/?p=18367Strategic Hotels & Resorts announced on Monday that it has signed a contract to purchase the 291-room Four Seasons in Austin for $197 million. The company anticipates the transaction will close in the next couple of weeks. “As we have long stated, expanding our geographic diversity is a strategic priority,” said CEO Raymond “Rip” Gellein during the company’s first quarter 2015 earnings call. “This acquisition not only achieves that, but adds yet another distinctive, high-performing ...

]]>Strategic Hotels & Resorts announced on Monday that it has signed a contract to purchase the 291-room Four Seasons in Austin for $197 million. The company anticipates the transaction will close in the next couple of weeks.

“As we have long stated, expanding our geographic diversity is a strategic priority,” said CEO Raymond “Rip” Gellein during the company’s first quarter 2015 earnings call. “This acquisition not only achieves that, but adds yet another distinctive, high-performing property to our portfolio.”

According to Gellein, the hotel is forecast to earn $15.4 million of EBITDA and $13.2 million of NOI in 2015, which implies a 12.8x EBITDA multiple and a 6.7 percent cap rate on Strategic’s acquisition price.

This marks the third deal this year for Strategic. The company, along with its joint-venture partner, recently signed an agreement to sell the Hyatt Regency La Jolla for $118 million, and in January it acquired the Montage Laguna Beach from an affiliate of Ohana Real Estate Investors for $360 million.

]]>http://lodgingmagazine.com/strategic-to-acquire-four-seasons-austin-for-197-million/feed/0The Developing Story: Austinhttp://lodgingmagazine.com/the-developing-story-austin/
http://lodgingmagazine.com/the-developing-story-austin/#respondMon, 26 Jan 2015 00:48:41 +0000http://lodgingmagazine.com/?p=16479Last year’s construction hotspot remains active in 2015 and provides a blueprint for other up-and-coming hotel markets. There are plenty of reasons developers like Austin. It has strong fundamentals, such as a large diversity of business, a highly educated population, government dollars, and a strong university presence. With its eclectic cultural vibe and massive festivals—SXSW and the Austin City Limits Music Festival are the biggest—the city is a magnet for younger, affluent residents and travelers. ...

There are plenty of reasons developers like Austin. It has strong fundamentals, such as a large diversity of business, a highly educated population, government dollars, and a strong university presence. With its eclectic cultural vibe and massive festivals—SXSW and the Austin City Limits Music Festival are the biggest—the city is a magnet for younger, affluent residents and travelers.

The result is a 24/7 hotel market fueled by a range of major demand generators that are amazingly robust. “The problem Austin’s had in terms of hotels is that there has not been a lot of new supply added for a number of years,” says Randy McCaslin, long-time Austin resident and SVP at PKF Consulting. “So the city’s averaging 78 percent occupancy, which is basically at capacity.”
That’ll change this year as big projects like the 1,012-room JW Marriott convention center hotel and the 322-room Kimpton Van Zandt open their doors in downtown Austin. And next year will bring another big hotel to downtown—the 1,000-room Austin Fairmont. “There’s a lot of new supply coming and there’s going to be a transition,” says McCaslin. “The overall effect will bring occupancy down slightly citywide, but it should normalize to remain above long-term averages.”

STRAIGHT TALK ON AUSTIN
Ron Vlasic, regional VP, Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, says the company had its eye on Austin for a few years before pulling the trigger on the Hotel Van Zandt, which is slated to open in May.

It’s a new-build 16-story hotel located in the historic Rainey Street District and everything about it will celebrate what the city is about.

The developer of the project is JMI Realty, who we previously worked with on the Hotel Solamar in San Diego.

It’s a little bit of a gamble to go with a four and a half star product, but that’s what we’re committed to because we saw an intense customer base to support it.

We’re running fiber optic lines throughout the property so there will be enormous bandwidth available all over. They’ll also supply a live feed to each room of the live performances onstage at the downstairs bar.

We’re converting a nearby house that sits on Rainey Street into a restaurant with outdoor seating and adding a rooftop pool with cabanas and Wi-Fi.

]]>http://lodgingmagazine.com/the-developing-story-austin/feed/0Archer Boutique Hotel Collection Announces Third Propertyhttp://lodgingmagazine.com/archer-austin-becomes-third-property-for-growing-boutique-collection/
http://lodgingmagazine.com/archer-austin-becomes-third-property-for-growing-boutique-collection/#respondTue, 06 May 2014 17:08:37 +0000http://lodgingmagazine.com/?p=11382WICHITA, Kan.—The Domain’s expansion is continuing its momentum with the addition of Archer Austin, a boutique, new-build hotel that will be located across the street from the recently announced Nordstrom store within the 304-acre upscale lifestyle development. LodgeWorks Partners LP, a privately-held hotel development and management company, has partnered with Endeavor Real Estate Group to bring the 168-room luxury hotel to life. This will mark the third property within the Archer collection, with Archer New ...

]]>WICHITA, Kan.—The Domain’s expansion is continuing its momentum with the addition of Archer Austin, a boutique, new-build hotel that will be located across the street from the recently announced Nordstrom store within the 304-acre upscale lifestyle development. LodgeWorks Partners LP, a privately-held hotel development and management company, has partnered with Endeavor Real Estate Group to bring the 168-room luxury hotel to life. This will mark the third property within the Archer collection, with Archer New York set to open May 28, 2014 and Archer Napa in advanced planning stages.

“Expanding the Archer collection into a destination as engaging and exciting as The Domain in Austin is tremendous and an absolutely perfect fit,” said Mike Daood, LodgeWorks president. “We have the benefit of again collaborating with our friends at Endeavor Real Estate Group and are honored to be part of such a wonderful, vibrant community and development.” This is the second Austin property for LodgeWorks, which also owns the successful Aloft Hotel at the Domain. When completed, the Domain is expected to include 1.8 million square-feet of retail space, 5,000 residential units, 3.5 million square-feet of office space, and 800 hotel rooms.

LawKingdon Architecture has incorporated a number of authentic Texas influences into the design and architecture plans for the 168-room, eight-story structure. Wood porcelain-tiled floors throughout many of the accommodations will be dotted with area rugs that have an antique, distressed look and feel to them. The rustic luxe theme will carry through to the wall coverings born from old leather belts behind the headboards in a number of rooms.

Each of the guestrooms is being designed to have a different feel, with as many as eight design palettes currently being considered. Canopy beds, varying headboards and footboards, large soaking tubs, and sliding glass doors creating indoor/outdoor spaces, are just some of the details that make Archer Austin unique from room to room.

“When designing Archer Austin we kept the clever ‘Keep Austin Weird’ theme central to our design,” said Roger Brown, SVP and director of design at LawKingdon Architecture. “It is a Texas-style sense of independence that reflects the eclectic, culturally-rich way of life that is unique to Austin. Archer will be an Austinite, an authentic Texan, through and through. The spaces will be engaging, yet youthful; contemporary, yet native.”

Photos of local bands and Austin’s favorite musical venues, as well as the music itself, will be featured throughout the hotel, while pops of color reflective of wildflowers (and the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center) will be incorporated into the color scheme. Native Texas limestone in both smooth and broken finishes will be both inside and out; making its way from the exterior design into the lobby.

Archer Austin will boast a 35-foot atrium and almost 7,000 square feet of event space and pre-function areas that flow to a second floor patio with fire pits and outdoor bars. In the coming months, the culinary direction of a chef-driven restaurant and bar will be revealed, as well as targeted ground breaking.

“We couldn’t be more excited about LodgeWorks’ vision for Archer. Delivering a hotel with an emphasis on what makes Austin unique and exciting is a perfect addition to the retail, restaurants and entertainment venues that will be part of this next phase of The Domain,” said Ben Bufkin, principal, Endeavor Real Estate Group.

]]>http://lodgingmagazine.com/archer-austin-becomes-third-property-for-growing-boutique-collection/feed/0White Lodging to Build Two Hotels in Downtown Austinhttp://lodgingmagazine.com/white-lodging-to-build-two-hotels-in-downtown-austin/
http://lodgingmagazine.com/white-lodging-to-build-two-hotels-in-downtown-austin/#respondWed, 02 Apr 2014 15:24:11 +0000http://lodgingmagazine.com/?p=10647According to the American-Statesman, White Lodging Services Corp. plans to build a hotel project in downtown Austin that would have two Starwood-brand hotels in a 32-story tower. White Lodging Services Corp. told the news outlet that the project will feature Starwood’s Aloft and Element brands with a total of 410 rooms. Construction is expected to start in December, with an opening slated for summer 2016. The hotel will be located on the corner of Congress ...

]]>According to the American-Statesman, White Lodging Services Corp. plans to build a hotel project in downtown Austin that would have two Starwood-brand hotels in a 32-story tower. White Lodging Services Corp. told the news outlet that the project will feature Starwood’s Aloft and Element brands with a total of 410 rooms. Construction is expected to start in December, with an opening slated for summer 2016. The hotel will be located on the corner of Congress Avenue and Seventh Street, just south of the InterContinental Stephen F. Austin hotel. Read more at Statesman.com.

]]>http://lodgingmagazine.com/white-lodging-to-build-two-hotels-in-downtown-austin/feed/0Four Seasons in Austin Goes Zero Wastehttp://lodgingmagazine.com/four-seasons-in-austin-goes-zero-waste/
http://lodgingmagazine.com/four-seasons-in-austin-goes-zero-waste/#respondThu, 27 Feb 2014 15:57:20 +0000http://lodgingmagazine.com/?p=9802AUSTIN, Texas—Just one year after setting out to become a zero-waste hotel, Four Seasons Hotel Austin has become the only hotel in Texas—and one of only a handful of businesses in the country—to reach the environmental goal. The push to become zero waste, defined as diverting at least 90 percent of waste from the landfill, started in late November 2013 and was initially a two-year project, but thanks to a concerted effort by hotel employees ...

]]>AUSTIN, Texas—Just one year after setting out to become a zero-waste hotel, Four Seasons Hotel Austin has become the only hotel in Texas—and one of only a handful of businesses in the country—to reach the environmental goal.

The push to become zero waste, defined as diverting at least 90 percent of waste from the landfill, started in late November 2013 and was initially a two-year project, but thanks to a concerted effort by hotel employees and the expert assistance of partner Texas Disposal Systems, the initiative was accomplished in nearly half the time.

“This truly is a testament to Four Seasons employees being able to accomplish anything they put their hearts and minds into,” says Rob Hagelberg, general manager at Four Seasons Hotel Austin. “Watching behaviors change and seeing the pride employees took in contributing to the effort was inspiring.”

The official zero waste designation was bestowed in January after Texas Disposal Systems completed an audit finding that the hotel successfully diverted 263 tons of waste through recycling and 262 tons through compost. Only 58 tons of waste went to the landfill in all of 2013. Those numbers show that the hotel has decreased its environmental waste footprint by more than 900 percent since 2012.

Also to be commended for this feat are the hotel’s guests since in-room composting, one of the most unique components of the initiative, was key to getting the hotel to the required diversion rate. It’s estimated 18 percent of guests participated in the guest room composting program. “We couldn’t have done it without their assistance, and we look forward to even more guests joining us in our efforts in 2014,” said Hagelberg.

With the initial goal accomplished, members of the hotel’s sustainability committee have set their sights on a 95 percent diversion rate by 2015.

]]>http://lodgingmagazine.com/four-seasons-in-austin-goes-zero-waste/feed/0JW Marriott Austin Announces Topping Outhttp://lodgingmagazine.com/jw-marriott-austin-announces-topping-out-construction-milestone/
http://lodgingmagazine.com/jw-marriott-austin-announces-topping-out-construction-milestone/#respondThu, 30 Jan 2014 20:01:20 +0000http://lodgingmagazine.com/?p=9317AUSTIN, Texas—JW Marriott Austin has announced that the hotel has reached its final construction height or “topped out.” When the JW Marriott Austin opens, it will be the largest hotel in Austin and the largest JW Marriott hotel in the United States. Slated to open on March 1, 2015, construction began on the 1,200,000-square-foot hotel in August 2012. More than 286,000 rooms have already been contracted with first groups arriving the day the hotel opens. ...

]]>AUSTIN, Texas—JW Marriott Austin has announced that the hotel has reached its final construction height or “topped out.” When the JW Marriott Austin opens, it will be the largest hotel in Austin and the largest JW Marriott hotel in the United States.

Slated to open on March 1, 2015, construction began on the 1,200,000-square-foot hotel in August 2012. More than 286,000 rooms have already been contracted with first groups arriving the day the hotel opens. The 34-story JW Marriott Austin was designed to house large conventions and meetings with more than 112,000 square feet of event space, 42 meeting rooms, and 1,012 guest rooms.

The JW Marriott Austin will employ more than 700 people upon opening. The hotel is expected to generate more than $16 million in taxes annually, and $5 million to $6 million will go directly to the City of Austin, according to the Austin Convention and Visitors Bureau.

The hotel will feature three restaurants including a full-service regional Italian restaurant, a restaurant highlighting local Texas cuisine, and a restaurant with a walk-up food truck-style window on Congress Ave. The JW Marriott Austin will also achieve a LEED Silver certification and two-star Austin Energy Green Building rating.

“We look forward to being in the heart of downtown Austin and offering new restaurants and event space for everyone,” Scott Blalock, general manager for JW Marriott Austin, said. “Having this number of hotel rooms under one roof will allow Austin to bring in conferences and large national conventions for which it could not otherwise compete.”

White Lodging, which manages 23 other properties in Austin and Round Rock, will manage the JW Marriott. The company will employ more than 1,700 people in the greater Austin area when the JW Marriott opens, making it one of the area’s largest private employers.

]]>http://lodgingmagazine.com/jw-marriott-austin-announces-topping-out-construction-milestone/feed/0Valencia Group Grows Portfoliohttp://lodgingmagazine.com/valencia-group-grows-portfolio/
http://lodgingmagazine.com/valencia-group-grows-portfolio/#respondMon, 13 Jan 2014 15:43:43 +0000http://lodgingmagazine.com/?p=9046SAN ANTONIO—Hotel operator, Valencia Group, watched its portfolio grow from three, nationally recognized properties and two brands to five hotels and three brands over the winter season. The Texas-based company announced the opening of Hotel Sorella Country Club Plaza in Kansas City, Mo., and the debut of Lone Star Court in Austin, Texas. “Our growth has been methodical and intentional,” said Doyle Graham Jr., president of Valencia Group. “We have a proven ability to create ...

]]>SAN ANTONIO—Hotel operator, Valencia Group, watched its portfolio grow from three, nationally recognized properties and two brands to five hotels and three brands over the winter season. The Texas-based company announced the opening of Hotel Sorella Country Club Plaza in Kansas City, Mo., and the debut of Lone Star Court in Austin, Texas.

“Our growth has been methodical and intentional,” said Doyle Graham Jr., president of Valencia Group. “We have a proven ability to create authentic and unique identities for each of our hotel brands and are thrilled to expand our collection into the dynamic Austin and Kansas City markets.”

Sorella, Italian for sister, is positioned as the “precocious sibling” to Valencia Group’s Hotel Valencia brand, which includes Hotel Valencia Riverwalk in San Antonio, Texas and Hotel Valencia Santana Row in San Jose, Calif. Hotel Sorella Country Club Plaza is the first expansion of the Hotel Sorella concept, which launched in Houston in 2009 with Hotel Sorella Citycenter. Designed to evoke the luxury and romance of a Mediterranean villa, while meshing both classic and contemporary elements, the hotel was inspired by the architecture of Seville, Spain.

Hotel Sorella Country Club Plaza features 132 guestrooms with nine suites, including a Presidential suite. A complimentary European breakfast will be served daily, and Wi-Fi will be available throughout the property at no charge. Guests can enjoy dining and curated cocktails at Rosso restaurant and Bar Rosso, plus views of the city from the rooftop pool terrace, complete with cabanas and fire pits. The hotel also offers approximately 5,700 square feet of flexible meeting and event space.

In Austin, Valencia Group premiered an upscale, retro-inspired court concept: Lone Star Court. The 123-room brand flagship was conceived with a “ranch-tech” vibe designed to appeal to both business and leisure travelers. The experience draws directly from its relaxed Texas Hill Country and savvy Austin surroundings.

Lone Star Court will feature live music by an outdoor fire pit, a dipping pool reminiscent of a swimming hole, and an onsite food trailer court. The property will also have approximately 2,000 square feet of interior meeting space, a 1,600-square-foot covered pavilion and an adjacent 1,800-square-foot lawn.

]]>http://lodgingmagazine.com/valencia-group-grows-portfolio/feed/0Hostmark Adds the Hampton Inn Austin Airport to Portfoliohttp://lodgingmagazine.com/hostmark-adds-the-hampton-inn-austin-airport-to-portfolio/
http://lodgingmagazine.com/hostmark-adds-the-hampton-inn-austin-airport-to-portfolio/#respondMon, 11 Nov 2013 16:00:56 +0000http://lodgingmagazine.com/?p=7825SCHAUMBURG, Ill.—Hostmark Hospitality Group announced that they have entered into a joint venture with Pendo Investments and acquired the Hampton Inn Austin Airport in Austin, Texas. The property will be managed by Hostmark Hospitality Group. “This is a phenomenal opportunity to expand our relationship with Hilton and the Hampton Inn brand in one of the premier markets in the United States,” states Jerome F. Cataldo, president and CEO of Hostmark Hospitality Group. The 102-room hotel ...

]]>SCHAUMBURG, Ill.—Hostmark Hospitality Group announced that they have entered into a joint venture with Pendo Investments and acquired the Hampton Inn Austin Airport in Austin, Texas. The property will be managed by Hostmark Hospitality Group.

“This is a phenomenal opportunity to expand our relationship with Hilton and the Hampton Inn brand in one of the premier markets in the United States,” states Jerome F. Cataldo, president and CEO of Hostmark Hospitality Group.

The 102-room hotel is optimally located just minutes from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport and is within close proximity to Austin’s cultural attractions, corporations, universities, and thriving music scene.

“We have assembled a premier team with Hostmark, Hilton, and Pendo Investments, to capitalize on a great hotel in a fantastic city,” mentions Brian Buchhagen, president of California-based Pendo Investments. “We have earmarked capital to fully renovate the property providing a best-in-class guest product and experience.”